UB FAQs

Upward Bound is a pre-college program administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the University of Cincinnati.  It is designed to motivate and provide academic skills for eligible students interested in education beyond high school.

The Upward Bound program office is located at the University of Cincinnati's West Campus, Teachers-Dyer complex.  The official address is:

University of Cincinnati - Upward Bound
631 Teachers-Dyer 
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0118
513-556-1625
513-556-3007 (fax)

upward.bound@uc.edu (email)
www.uc.edu/upwardbound (web)

University of Cincinnati campus maps can be located on the Maps and Directions page.

Upward Bound is a pre-college program administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the University of Cincinnati. It is designed to motivate and provide academic skills for eligible students interested in education beyond high school.

The Academic Year Program which convenes from October to May is the second phase of Upward Bound.  During this period, students come to the University of Cincinnati campus for Saturday morning academic enrichment classes.  Saturday classes are conducted by U.C. professors, certified high school teachers, and graduate students.  Students receive instruction in reading, mathematics, science, writing. literature, foreign language, computers, financial literary, and college awareness.  Personal, career, and academic, and college counseling is also provided, in addition to cultural enrichment activities.

Summer Pre-Bridge Program for Grades 9 through 12 Upward Bound students entering grades 9 through 12 (Pre-Bridge students) spend six weeks of the summer at the University of Cincinnati.  Several weeks involve living in the college dormitories with other Upward Bound Pre-Bridge students.  They attend academic classes and personal development activities aimed at equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in college.  Courses are taught by skilled instructors whose primary concern is the student.  Eligible students receive spending money as well as free guidance, room and board, recreation, and travel.  The Ohio Summer Food Program is also available to all students regardless of race, national origin, sex, or disability.

Upward Bound graduates (Bridge students) are eligible to take courses free of charge at the University of Cincinnati.  They may register for one to two college courses and live in one of the dormitories.  Bridge students receive tuition, room and board, books, academic guidance, tutoring, and other services free of charge.

During the Upward Bound summer program, eligible students participate in work/study programs sponsored by the City of Cincinnati and Upward Bound.  The Upward Bound Program places students in various job sites throughout the campus.

  1. The applicant must provide a transcript of his/her high school grades and standardized test scores (or 8th grade transcript if entering the 9th grade).
  2. The applicant must be an excellent school citizen with a good attendance record.
  3. The applicant must meet federal "Low Income" guidelines or be a "First Generation Student" who is college bound.  "First Generation Student" means that the parent(s) living in the student's household does/do not have a Bachelor's degree.
  4. The applicant must be enrolled or intend to enroll in grades 9 through 11 at the following schools:
  • Aiken
  • Hughes
  • Mt. Healthy
  • North College Hill
  • Princeton
  • Shroder
  • Taft
  • Western Hills
  • Withrow
  • Woodward
  1. Secure an application form from the school counselor, the Upward Bound website, or the Upward Bound office located on the University of Cincinnati's main campus.
  2. Submit the completed application form and all necessary documents (including verification of income, grade transcript, etc.) to the Upward Bound office by March 1 for summer program consideration, or by September 15 for academic year program participation.  Failure to provide complete information will delay processing of the application.
  3. All applicants will receive a response by mail or telephone.  Those who meet program requirements will be invited for a meeting.